AREFLH and its members look at the new CAP

Within the framework of its general assembly on 23 March in Lérida, Catalonia, AREFLH is organising a public conference on the new CAP and the future European regulation on packaging.

For more than 20 years, the AREFLH (Assembly of European Horticultural Regions) has been actively defending the economic and social interests of the regions and producers to the European institutions. Each year the General Assembly and its public conference take place in a member region. This year the event will be hosted by the region of Catalonia in partnership with Afrucat, an association of Catalan producers also a member of AREFLH.

The conference will be organised around two themes. Firstly, the recent entry into force of the new CAP. As the new CAP involves high stakes for the development of a more resilient and greener agricultural world, it raises many questions. AREFLH will therefore open the dialogue and will welcome a representative of the DG AGRI of the European Commission, as well as Elena Garcia Garrido of the EU CAP Network. AREFLH representatives will exchange views in a round table on the subject.

The second part of the conference will be dedicated to the European draft regulation limiting packaging waste included in the Green Pact for Europe. Indeed, the sector is concerned about the possible consequences on the quality and safety of products. An MEP will be present at the conference to inform better participants on this sensitive issue. The final round table will also provide an opportunity to discuss the topic and its issues in greater depth.

Montse Baró Vilà, president of Afrucat, and Simona Caselli, president of AREFLH, both agree that “we are at a key moment for European production with regard to sustainability, the food chain, the new CAP and CMO. As a sector, we will have to make our voice heard and demand the necessary and sufficient precision and criteria to implement all these challenges”.

The public conference in Lérida is free of charge, but registration is required. The programme for the day is available at www.areflh.org .